Ah August. With Summer coming to a close and school quickly approaching, it is a good time to reflect on the 3 months we call “Summer” - or more specifically, our favourite month of the Summer - August!

Not only is August typically the hottest month of the year, but it also seems to be one of the busiest…these are some of the exact reasons that we love August so much! At this time of year, everyone is trying to squeeze in those last few days at the beach or the camp/cottage (yes! camp-we are from Northern ON). Families are preparing for their little/older ones to head back to school and…thoughts of pumpkin spice everything, cooler temperatures and fall colours begin to creep back into our consciousness. But...let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yetJ

So, what makes August the best month of the Summer? Simply answered, August is the ‘last chance month’. It is the last chance to do any of your preferred Summer activities, whether it be swimming in a lake, paddle boarding in the early morning, boating, tubing, waterskiing or enjoying a cocktail on a very sunny patio. It is the last month of relaxation before the hustle and bustle of the school year begins. Fishing picks up around this time of year, well-planned vacations are coming to fruition, and some of the best corn and tomatoes are just around the corner.

However, to many people, August is viewed as the worst month of the Summer…a beginning of the end. With the end of August, comes September…a month that is traditionally viewed as the start of Fall. August is a time when school is quickly approaching; meaning saying good bye to friends and family until the next extended break. Shopping for school supplies becomes a priority and frequent discussion-especially when ‘back to school’ advertisements begin earlier and earlier each year-just last week I saw an advertisement for snow pants! SNOW PANTS!! It’s still JULY!! August is also synonymous for tuition bills…and the cost of new text books and meal plans and dropping off loved ones to their new homes. It can be very hard to enjoy the last few moments of Summer, when worried about bills, and school starting, and not completing our personal “Summer bucket list”.

So, that being said…don’t worry about completing your entire summer bucket list, just commit to knocking a few things off of that list in August. The water is warm, the sunshine is reliable and friends/family want to be invited to that bbq or evening outing. Kids and teens are looking to spend time with you, partners are excited to see your windblown, salty hair, or new shade of tan…adventure is in the air!

So, as with most things, it all comes down to perspective…but remember, last chances also tend to make experiences a bit sweeter, a bit more exciting and a whole lot more meaningful.